While
Good Friday gives a sombre outlook the situation changes
completely on Saturday evening. After 40 Days of
Silence, the Christian mystery of salvation reaches its
highest point with the resurrection of Christ. It is the
day when Christianity remembers and solemnly celebrates
Christ’s resurrection.
The
Easter Vigil liturgy, considered as the most beautiful liturgy in
the Roman Catholic Church started at 8.30pm both in the
Ghajnsielem Parish Church and St Antony's Church in complete
darkness except by the flickering candle lights. The
Liturgy was divided into four parts: the liturgy of the
Light, the liturgy of the Word, the liturgy of Baptism,
and the liturgy of the Eucharist. The liturgy of the
Word consists of nine readings, seven from the Old
Testament and two from the New Testament.
The peak
of the Easter Vigil is reached during the 'explosion' of
light as the commemoration suddenly illuminates the
church with candles, chandeliers, bulbs, floodlights
etc. in order to announce Christ's central event -
resurrection, exactly when the singing of the 'Glorja'
commences.